Alex Crooks, Author at Thumb Culture

18Apr

By Alex CrooksNo Comments

Tranquil Isle – PC Review

Cosy meets roguelite in Tom Daly and Future Friends Games new release Tranquil Isle. Design your perfect paradise in your favourite styles as you try to earn your high score or just freely build. Tranquil Isle is currently available on Steam and you can also grab the soundtrack whilst you're there! Tranquil Islands filled with houses, taverns and more! I sunk a bunch of time into this game building my own little towns and cities but is it worth adding to your steam library? Gameplay There are three game modes to choose from when it comes to Tranquil Isle: standard, sandbox and classic. Within the standard version you will progressively unlock more buildings and islands by building and increasing the population of your world. Sandbox mode allows you to build freely and explore all o...

16Apr

By Alex Crooks1 Comment

Hardware & Tech

Fantech MAXFIT6 QMK Wireless Keyboard Review

As a writer at Thumb Culture I've been lucky enough to test out a number of Fantech products including the Maxfit Air and the Aria II Pro. And today I bring you more! This time it's the turn of the MAXFIT6 wireless keyboard, the latest release from the company. I have tested it across many silly games and many boring work days to see whether it's worth investing. Tippy tap Fantech is back You can grab the MAXFIT6 for £41.00 which is relatively cheap for a mechanical keyboard but does the low price point compromise the quality? Design The MAXFIT6 is available in two colours - black and white. I received the white version of the keyboard and honestly I really love the simplicity of it all. The two transparent keys add a little bit of character without looking cheap or tacky. You can...

8Apr

By Alex CrooksNo Comments

Previews & Early Access

Forecursed – PC Preview

Hide and seek takes a turn in Forecursed by William Van Herck. In this action survivor you can play with up to twelve players across a range of maps and try to survive as your friend hunts you down to pass on the curse. We got the chance to get a couple of TC friends together to try out early access. Hide and seek just because a whole lot whackier You can currently grab Forecursed in Early Access from Steam for £8.50. Let's take a look. Gameplay Forecursed is madness from the get go. Even just loading into the player hub you can waste time flinging yourself across the hanger or dip into the jail to test the curse out. It's a nice little training ground that you can back and forth in with other people in the lobby to figure out the controls. That's not necessary however as the contr...

3Apr

By Alex CrooksNo Comments

PlayStation Reviews

Croc Legend of the Gobbos Remastered – PS5 Review

Croc is hopping back into action in Croc Legend of the Gobbos Remastered. Argonaut Games has taken up the task of fitting this classic game into more modern settings through upgraded graphics, a brand new control scheme and some other features. This funky little remaster is available on the Playstation Store for £24.99 Gems, fur balls with crowns and a whole lot of jumping Gameplay Simply put, Croc does exactly what it is meant to do. It plays a lot smoother than it used to (or maybe I'm just better at games now) whilst keeping that nostalgic feeling alive. It's a game that doesn't have many bells and whistles, but it really doesn't need them. If you have played Croc in the past, it's almost exactly the same as playing it back in the days of the PS1. Jumping, running, and tail w...

31Mar

By Alex CrooksNo Comments

Previews & Early Access

Hidalgo – PC Preview

Reality and imagination intertwine in Infinite Thread Games' upcoming release Hidalgo. Across five chapters, players will be able to relive some of the most memorable Don Quixote stories told by a mother and her family. After a successful Kickstart campaign, Hidalgo is available on PlayStation, Xbox, PC and Switch. We tried out the PC version to give you some insight into what to expect from this new cosy game! Over the hills, on the next page, is the next chapter for Don Quixote Gameplay Hidalgo is a simple game with simple mechanics. As you explore La Mancha you will find different collectibles and meet cutesy NPCs that will give you missions which you will have to complete to progress through the chapter. Quests range from simple things such as herding sheep to defeating bosses to ...

14Mar

By Alex CrooksNo Comments

PlayStation Reviews

Sorry We’re Closed – PS5 Review

Survival horror goes back in time in A la Mode Games' latest release Sorry We're Closed. Breakups can be tough. They're even harder when there's a horny demon invading your nightmares begging you to love them. With situations reminiscent of old school Resident Evil and Silent Hill, this neon coloured horror uses an inventive narrative and a cast of witty NPCs to fully immerse players into its world. Heartbreak, Demons and Magical Guns. What could possibly go wrong? Sorry We're Closed is available on PlayStation 4 and 5, Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X & S and Xbox One. Let's take a look at the PlayStation 5 version shall we? Gameplay You start your first day watching a drama as you close out Michelle's mind-numbing work day. With little more to do, navigate your way to her smal...

3Mar

By Alex CrooksNo Comments

PlayStation Reviews

Tomb Raider IV – VI Remastered – PS5 Review

The only thing I wanted after reviewing the Tomb Raider 1-3 Remastered Trilogy was a remaster of 4-6. Apsyr apparently heard my prayers and have finally remastered the finale of the original Lara plot as well as Angel of Darkness. Tomb Raider IV-VI Remastered brings back The Last Revelation, Tomb Raider 5 and Angel of Darkness to modern consoles. Controversially, Tomb Raider: Angel of Darkness is one of my favourite games and Tomb Raider IV was the first game I ever finished on my own so there was a lot of nostalgia wrapped up in these games. When the games were announced I pre-ordered immediately but was it worth it? Or did the remaster not hit the mark the same way these games originally did? I don't count poison darts and triggered entombment your average child's tea party You can...

28Feb

By Alex CrooksNo Comments

Features, News & Updates

Pokemon Presents Feb 2025 Round Up

Yesterday, February 27th, was Pokémon Day and to celebrate we had the Pokémon Presents livestream which has the latest trailers, new and upcoming game reveals. There was some expectation that Pokémon Presents would give players updates on Pokémon Legends: Z-A which is set to release this year. We were also hoping there would be announcements regarding movies and series being worked on. Pokémon Presents Questionable Starters & TCG Developments So were we disappointed? Let's take a look with our full rundown of everything revealed at the Pokémon Presents 2025 Event. Pokémon Legends: Z-A Starting off strong we got more information about the new Pokémon Legends: Z-A game, including a trailer! With this jampacked trailer, we thought it was easier to breakdown this info into bullet point...

19Feb

By Alex CrooksNo Comments

Previews & Early Access

Sworn – PC Preview

The reason I initially decided to pick up Sworn by Windwalk was the similarities to Hades. As a top down rogue-like with co-op capabilities and an Arthurian twist, it was right up my street. A part of me was worried that I would be too busy comparing Sworn to Hades to really enjoy it. However, it would honestly be a disservice to this game. If you're looking to expand your PC library, you can grab Sworn on Steam for £24.99 You've Sworn an oath to keep dying Gameplay Sworn plays like a standard rouge-like game with various encounters and battles as you make your way through different areas. It's best to play with a controller, as recommended when you load up, and plays really well on the Deck. As you make your way through Arthurian inspired areas, you will meet mythical beasts and d...

14Feb

By Alex CrooksNo Comments

PC Reviews

DEAD LETTER DEPT. – PC Review

If data entry wasn't bad enough, Mike Monroe with Belief Engine have added psychological horror into the mix with new release DEAD LETTER DEPT. After moving to the big city, you find yourself working the night shift at a data entry job. Lost letters make their way to your desktop, pleading for you to get them to their home. There are multiple endings to uncover and story hidden in every letter. It's time to clock in and start your shift. DEAD LETTER DEPT. is currently available on Steam for £12.79 Is that a 3 or an 8? Or is it a 0? Gameplay DEAD LETTER DEPT. puts you in the position of a 'data conversion operator'. It is your job to go through all of the mail that the computer cannot decipher and manually input the information one letter at a time. There's a bit of roaming around t...